Have you ever thought of using the Alexander Technique as a way to help make your cycle more harmonious? The Alexander Technique is an approach that fits well with mindfulness, yoga and meditation in that it is a technique that listens very quietly to the body.
You get to un-learn unhealthy habits that are literally holding you in the wrong position. This is part of what causes pain and discomfort in human beings, so it’s a real challenge to learn to do it right.
The Alexander Technique is all about harmonious balance. It teaches you to stand not too tense, yet not too lose. Not too tall, yet not too hunched up. The key is to be relaxed and let your body hold itself the way it was meant to. It helps us reconnect with our natural state, and is a fab approach to use in the ongoing process of reaching our potential.
My favourite Alexander practitioner, Iain Cameron Watson, says that “when the skeleton is aligned, muscles take their proper place, energy flows and the natural electrical currents are unimpeded then a powerful container is created for optimum life force”. Sounds great, huh?
Now imagine what that can do for your cycle. If your are at the stage of learning to turn your monthly cycle from sometime uncomfortable and unpleasant into a joyful celebration, the Alexander Technique can teach you how to better live in your body.
It can also help you to deal with unresolved issues because as Iain says, “unresolved events and traumas are brought to the surface for release and resolution”. The body can in this way be freed from past burdens.
The Alexander Technique is very much about a way of being, so that it is advisable to keep practicing. You might want to go back to your practitioner a couple of times every year just to keep yourself in good shape.
As most therapies, the Alexander Technique is good for both treating acute symptoms and as a preventative measure. Iain explains that when the body is in harmonious balance, “this can allow a lightness of being, clarity of thought and greater openness to explore our depths and hidden creative potential”. Wonderful, isn’t it?
The session is great, for me it is quick-working and profound. I feel refreshed afterwords, usually full of energy and optimism, as if old burdens have been lifted from me.
The practitioner works with you as you stand, sit and lie, and ease your muscles and joints from their usual holding pattern. You may be required to learn how to sit, stand and walk in a new way – it might feel counter-intuitive to start with, but it’s worth it.
If you’re interested, you can contact Iain and he can tell you more about it. He’s currently based in Wales, and is contactable via Iain Cameron Watson’s facebook page.
I have found that deep-seated thought patterns and behaviours have released through the Alexander Technique, and will continue to use it to support me and my harmonious cycles. I’m also looking forward to be guided gently through my life stages with the Alexander Technique, making transitions easier and keeping me younger for longer.
Why not give it a try?
Finding the community of Cycle Harmony has made a huge difference to me. I am delighted to be writing to you from the Red Tent and hope to share thoughts and experiences you recognise, or find useful to ponder upon. I look forward to working with you all in exploring what it is to be women, and hope to hear from you. ~ Vild
I’ve been hearing a lot about this technique in the past few weeks. Talk about synchronicity! I wanna try it. I think it will help me be more comfortable in my own body.
I also thought it involves balancing your chakras with sound, no? Or maybe I’m mixing it up with something else I have to read up on it.
I did something with the chakra sound balancing at a breath-work seminar some years back, and it was very beneficial, but forgot what it was called.
Our bodies do indeed hold secrets, Hiranya, and thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
The Alexander Technique was probably tge first “alternative” thing I ever did, and it was such a revelation. My physical confidence grew, I grew a couple of inches taller, my voice developed. At the beginning I went twice a week, but nowadays only about twice a year. I was lucky to have a wonderfully intuitive and imaginative teacher, Brita Forsstrom, who guided me through a journey of self – discovery. Our bodies hold so many secrets, thoughts and emotions; if we just tuned into them , we would learn so much! http://cityats.org/teachers/
Looking forward to hearing what you think of it, Jing 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try the Alexandra technique for a while now. Sounds like a very helpful tool. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you so much for sharing Vild!